Jimmy Johnson says Peterson is the key

Fox analyst and former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson says Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the key player in Sunday’s NFC divisional-round playoff game with the Cowboys.

“It’s critical that he has some success against the Cowboys,” Johnson said in a conference call Thursday. “(The Cowboys) are so talented on defense, particularly the pass rushers and the corners. They’re playing so well now in tight coverage. So it’s critical that (Minnesota) run well enough to slow that pass rush down.”

Dallas held Peterson to only 63 yards in 2007 and finished this season ranked fourth against the run (90.5 yards). Another reason to like the Cowboys chances against Peterson: They haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Dec. 28, 2008.